Temperatures in the morning and evening exceeding 7 degrees Celsius are a sign that the time is coming to change seasonal tyres. It is not worth driving in the summer on winter cars, but the moment of replacing tyres for summer should be well planned. Yes, to drive on good tyres, when spring and the weather is established – the morning frosts and the risk of snow and snow with rain will disappear. Why is it not worth replacing tyres prematurely? The difference in the behavior of winter and summer tyres when the temperature is above 0C decided to check the British editors of "Auto Express". The test was carried out at +6C at a speed of 80 km/h and on a wet road.[1] The braking distance of a car driving on summer tyres was 42.5 m and was longer by 7 meters than a car with winter wheels.
– Following the7°C rule, let's take a correction for the fact of weather instability at the turn of winter and spring. Itis better to wait a few days for the aura to stabilize – so that summer tyres do not have to face wet, slippery surfaces – advises Piotr Sarnecki, general director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PZPO).
PZPO and TÜV survey
The fact that the differences in the braking distance of tyres dedicated to specific seasons are significant is also confirmed by a joint study by TÜV SÜD and PZPO. Based on the tests carried out on the track at a temperature of +23C (surface heated to +40C), it appears that on dry surfaces the use of winter tyres contributes to a significant extension of the section after which we stop our vehicle. What's the difference? More than two car lengths, which in practice is 9 meters! That's how much you can save by using dedicated tyres (28 meters – summer tyres; 37 meters – winter tyres), braking from a speed of 85 km / h at a temperature of +23C.
– This rubber mixture with a significant admixture of silica, from which winter tyres are made, does not provide adequate traction when the surface warms up to several dozen degrees. The research of TÜV SÜD and PZPO shows that the difference is 8 meters (35 meters – summer tyres; 43 meters – winter tyres). This is a huge difference considering the fact that sometimes there is literally no metro to avoid a collision or collision, which can have dramatic consequences – points out Piotr Sarnecki.
In such weather conditions, the compound from which the winter tyre is made loses its properties and ceases to provide optimal traction – it does not provide grip and safe braking on dry and wet roads. Higher temperatures also cause winter tyres to overheat, which promotes faster wear.
The 3P principle
Since we already know when to replace tyres from winter to summer, it is worth getting acquainted with the 3P principle, i.e. Proper tyres, Professional service and Precise pressure and operations. If we have to buy a new set, we only choose new tyres. Even choosing budget versions will be a better solution than buying branded tyres from the secondary market.
"We don't buy used tyres for several reasons. Even if our wallet "prompts" us that this is an opportunity, it can quickly turn out to be untrue. First of all, we are not able to reliably assess their durability – because we do not know the source of origin and conditions of previous exploitation. Remember that tyres driven with too low pressure have quickly destroyed internal layers reinforcing the tyre. We are also not sure whether they were involved in an accident – as a result of which the supporting structure was damaged. Inspection of tightness or tread height is definitely not enough to be sure that when driving on the road such a tyre will not be torn – notes Piotr Sarnecki.
Certified service worth its weight in gold
Changing tyres requires knowledge, experience and professional tools. Their absence may mean a mistake, and a costly one. Damage to the rim will be visible immediately – as well as damage to the tyre rim. Improper handling can also lead to invisible damage, which can only manifest itself while driving. Taking into account the fact that at highway speed the tyre rotates about 1000 times per minute, it means that our safety may depend on the reliable performance of this service at the vulcanizer.
– In the interest of safety and improving the quality of workshops, we have introduced the Tyre Certificate – a system of evaluation and distinctions of professional independent and network services, and even ASO based on a reliable audit of equipment and qualifications. Our auditors are, as it were, the eyes of the drivers. For their safety, they control the equipment and skills in a given service – andissues in which the average motorist is not very oriented, because he does not deal with it every day. The certificate helps workshops improve quality – which is crucial for safety – and increases their competitiveness, and gives customers confidence that the service will be performed by well-prepared professionals – assures Director Sarnecki.
Pressure is essential
The third pillar of the 3P principle is the precise tyre pressure, which drivers should check at least once a month. Even the best tyres, mounted in a super professional service will be destroyed if we drive with reduced air pressure. Unfortunately, the results of the Moto Data study indicate that as many as 58% of vehicle users do it too rarely.[2] If we do not check the pressure, the tyres will last us 3 times shorter! Too low tyre pressure causes up to a twofold increase in the mperation of the inner layers – and this is a simple way to tear the tyres while driving. In addition, and even more importantly, too little air, the tread does not adhere properly to the road surface – which extends the braking distance up to 4 meters with a loss of 0.5 bar. It also speeds up tread wear by up to 1/3 and increases rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption by approx. 5%. Not without significance is also the fact that the external noise from the tyre also increases by as much as 3dB! So we hear it almost twice as much.
#OponyMająMoc
This is the slogan of an educational campaign aimed at making drivers aware of the importance of good tyres for road safety. The authors also face many untrue and harmful myths that are repeated in the media and on Internet forums.
On the other hand, the workshop that has passed the TÜV SÜD audit and received the Tyre Certificate of the Polish Tyre Industry Association can be found on the certyfikatoponiarski.pl website.
For more information, please visit akademiaoponiarska.pl/, certyfikatoponiarski.pl/, info page: www.oponymajamoc.pl
[1] https://pzpo.org.pl/aktualnosci/nawet-w-%C5%9Brodku-zimy-35-kierowc%C3%B3w-je%C5%BAdzi-na-oponach-letnich.html
[2] Winter Tyres v Summer Tyres: the Truth! - Auto Express, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elP_34ltdWI
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association